Chapter 5 — I Expected More

  Kael frowned as he flipped through the notes from the previous lesson.

  I don’t understand what’s wrong with him, Kael thought. Didn’t I make everything perfectly clear? I told him I would compete fairly and that I had no intention of wasting time on meaningless games.

  Ryan’s sudden change in behavior was extremely uncomfortable.

  He sighed. He had already grown used to the light teasing and playful remarks directed at him, which was why this furious silence felt far more oppressive.

  Never mind.

  After a brief moment of thought, he made up his mind.

  This is exactly what I wanted, isn’t it? He finally left me alone.

  But why do I feel so strange?

  The question lingered stubbornly in his mind.

  He closed his notebook.

  It’s probably because I missed my last training session. Yes, that must be it. A lack of combat practice is affecting me. Once I finish my usual six hours of training, I’ll definitely feel better.

  *

  “I heard about what happened,” the teacher said in a stern voice.

  The classroom fell silent instantly.

  “Simply disgraceful! Such behavior is unacceptable in this academy! Have you forgotten that you are representatives of the aristocratic society of our empire?”

  Silence.

  Then a quiet voice whispered,

  “More like we remembered that a little too well.”

  “Who said that?” the teacher asked even more quietly.

  All the students, except one, turned their heads.

  Their gazes settled on Michael.

  Only Kael continued looking straight at the teacher, unwilling to betray his classmate.

  The teacher gave Michael a severe look and then unexpectedly said,

  “You are absolutely right, Michael.”

  A heavy silence filled the classroom.

  The teacher’s words echoed through the room.

  Even the walls seemed frozen in surprise.

  Then the teacher continued calmly.

  “And the two of you are punished.”

  “Me?” Michael asked anxiously.

  “No,” the teacher replied.

  “Kael Elvaria and Ryan Crowen.”

  The classroom immediately erupted into noise.

  “They’re being punished together?”

  “No way…”

  “They deserve it!”

  “That’s unfair! Kael started everything — why is Ryan being punished too?”

  “Everyone bears responsibility for what happened!” the teacher suddenly raised his voice. “This academy was created to encourage communication and peace. I advise all of you to remember that! Anyone who attempts to ignite the flames of war within this academy will be punished — regardless of status or origin!”

  He swept his gaze across the classroom.

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  “Is that clear?”

  However, Ryan was no longer listening.

  For the first time in a long while, he was genuinely pleased with the teacher’s decision.

  *

  Kael sighed quietly as he stood before the door to the small library.

  Of course, he had no intention of arguing with the teacher. But this time the punishment truly seemed unfair.

  He hadn’t even been present at the scene of the incident.

  And yet… if the teacher had assigned this punishment, then it had to be carried out properly.

  He was just about to open the door when a familiar playful voice sounded behind him.

  “What? Don’t want to go in?”

  Kael didn’t even need to turn around.

  He sighed.

  “What nonsense.”

  Footsteps approached.

  “It seems our righteous northern knight is sulking because he was punished.”

  Ryan placed his hand on Kael’s shoulder. His slender fingers, completely free of calluses, tightened slightly, as if trying to hold him in place.

  Ryan leaned closer and whispered into his ear with a venomous tone.

  “Or are you sulking because you’ll have to spend so much time alone with me?”

  Kael easily brushed his hand away.

  “Enough with the jokes.”

  His voice was cold.

  “Let’s start. I don’t want to drag this out for several days.”

  “Are you that afraid of me?”

  “I prefer spending this time training.”

  Ryan fell silent for a moment, then smiled.

  “I see.”

  He opened the library door.

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  *

  The small library was filled with books, yet somehow felt empty.

  Rows of shelves filled the hall, their surfaces cluttered with stacks of dusty books. The air was heavy and stale. It seemed as though no one had visited this place for at least a hundred years.

  The teacher certainly knows how to choose punishments, Ryan thought.

  At Crowen Castle, books were valued above everything else, and Ryan was slightly shocked by the state of this place.

  If not for Kael, my foot would never have stepped in here.

  Kael immediately got to work.

  He emptied the shelves, wiped away the dust, and carefully placed the books back in order, shaking each one free of dust.

  Very quickly the air around him became even heavier and dirtier, but despite that he continued performing the task diligently.

  Ryan, on the other hand, arranged himself very differently.

  He lazily sprawled across the top of a bookshelf, flipping through old books one after another and occasionally throwing sarcastic remarks into the air about their contents.

  Yes, of course he’ll “keep that in mind,” Kael thought. Though perhaps this was exactly what I should have expected.

  “For example, this one is an incredibly stupid book,” Ryan declared, tossing a heavy tome down.

  The book hit the floor with a dull thud.

  “No morals. No meaning. I have no idea why anyone even bothered writing such nonsense.”

  He waved his hand dismissively.

  “You can throw it straight into the trash.”

  Kael sighed.

  “You do realize we’re supposed to clean, not sort the books?”

  “Didn’t I say I’d take your preferences into account?”

  Kael brushed the dust off a thick primer.

  “Doesn’t look like it,” he said dryly.

  Ryan smirked.

  “Do you have any idea how entertaining it is to see your twisted expression?”

  He rolled onto his stomach and looked down.

  “Miss your sword that much?”

  Kael ignored him.

  “You won’t see it today,” Ryan said with a smug smile. “Funny, isn’t it? It seems you’re the only one actually being punished here.”

  Kael finished arranging the books on the shelf and slowly turned around.

  “So you’re ready to sit here with me for hours just to make sure I don’t go train?”

  Of course, Ryan thought. You probably don’t even realize how entertaining it is for me to watch you.

  Well… no matter.

  “What could be more entertaining?” he said with a grin. “After all, right now I’m watching the proud knight of the North slave away in my place like a pitiful servant.”

  “What, were you expecting me to use magic?” he continued mockingly. “Has our Kael decided to resort to cheating? I certainly didn’t expect that.”

  Kael clicked his tongue.

  “If you don’t want to help — don’t.”

  He turned back.

  “I’ll manage on my own.”

  He continued cleaning, completely ignoring Ryan.

  Until suddenly cold, dirty water poured down on him.

  A bucket had been overturned above him.

  A wet rag fell to the floor.

  Ryan chuckled quietly.

  “That actually suits you.”

  A faint sense of anticipation crept into his chest.

  Now he definitely won’t stay silent.

  Kael stood motionless.

  Dirty water slowly dripped from his hair and clothes.

  For the first time in his life, he felt a sudden urge to hit someone.

  Maybe I really should punch him.

  He tightened his grip on the rag.

  Spoiled southern aristocrat… he’s truly annoying now. A couple of punches would quickly bring him to his senses.

  He took a deep breath.

  And stopped.

  No.

  Absolutely not.

  I am a knight of the North.

  Ryan will not make me abandon my honor with these childish antics.

  After all… it’s obvious that he’s still just a child.

  Kael released the rag.

  “I thought you intended to fight fairly,” he said calmly.

  His bright blue eyes were not clouded by the dirty water streaming down his face. They shone just as they always did — with cold confidence.

  “And yet… even though you failed to meet my expectations, I will not stoop to your level.”

  He walked toward the door, then suddenly seemed to remember something and turned back for just a moment.

  “I expected more from you, Ryan.”

  The door closed quietly.

  Kael sighed, leaning against it from the outside.

  I hope Father would be proud, he thought.

  Though Father would probably have put that upstart in his place on the very first day.

  He ran a hand across his forehead.

  I’ll finish that hall tomorrow, the decision formed instantly.

  I’ll just come early, without Ryan, and get it done. And then I’ll change the seat where I sit.

  It was time to end these pointless interactions.

  Between Crowen and Elvaria there was room for only one thing — enmity.

  Calmed by his decision, he walked back toward his room.

  With every step, his stride once again became firm and confident.

  “Yes… tomorrow I will definitely put an end to all of this.”

  He did not yet know how quickly his resolve would begin to waver.